Iranian businessman Abe Alizadeh is the new owner of the Portland Timbers and Beavers.

Sacramento based Alizadeh and his Kobra Properties group hold over 2,000,000 square feet of office, retail, and industrial space located in Greater Sacramento and throughout the U.S.He also runs 33 Jack in the Box and several TGI Friday's franchises.

I was away from timberlog towers recently so the signing of New Zealand International Aaran Lines is old news by now, but hot off the press today is the news that Nike have entered into an exclusive multi-year relationship with the Timbers to supply footware, uniforms and training gear."Nike is committed to maintaining Portland's high standards of quality soccer for the professional player, the developing player, and the fan," said Joe Elsmore, U.S. Sports Marketing Director for Nike. "Our comprehensive partnership with the Timbers will allow us to satisfy Portland's appetite for the game on all levels."

Another sign that the Timbers have firmly established themselves at the center of Soccer City USA.

Every year Timbers GM Jim Taylor kindly answers some questions about the upcoming season and 2005 is no different. Even though he has to endure some reoccuring ones (budget, ownership, returning players) he always has something interesting to say.

Timbers fans appreciate the way he communicates with the team's fans and he deservedly won the USL GM of the Year award in 2004.

The Timbers have expanded their soccer camps and clinics for 2005 and have included 2 famous names to the list of coaches.

U.S. Women's National Team star Tiffeny Milbrett will lead a specialized camp in March and a Day Camp in August. In addition the Canadian Women's National Team's Christine Sinclair will join Timbers coaches and players on some dates.

There are 11 camps in total, cost ranges from $180-$195 and the camps are open to players aged 8-14 for the regular camps and ages 12-18 for the Tiffeny Milbrett camps.

Full details including dates and times can be found on the Timbers website.